Saturday, October 25, 2008

We had Abby's birthday party last night (on Jeremy's actual birthday). We had a TON of people here. We gave invitations to all of the kids our children play with regularly...add in all of the parents and WOW! We had probably 50 people here! I bought hot dogs at Costco and we barely had enough (actually Jeremy and I didn't get to eat!). We did a pinata and yummy chocolate cake. It got dark way too early though and we ended up opening presents and eating cake in the dark, but I think everyone had fun anyway. Abby loved her gifts too.

On her actual birthday I took them for a "surprise". Next time I'll know not to do any "surprises" because it gets their imaginations going a bit too much, so when Savannah was expecting a trip to Discovery Kingdom, they were greatly disappointed when we got to the cupcake shop. I tell ya, they were totally unenthusiastic. Granted they hadn't been feeling their best, and the trip is about a half hour...but we got cupcakes, got a few cute photos and went on to the toy store where we really had fun. I bought two gifts, one for her birthday, one for Christmas. After they had been wrapped (without her knowing), I let her pick which one she wanted. She ended up choosing the Play Mobil farm and ever since that thing was opened and assembled, they haven't stopped playing with it. Play Mobil is quite pricey and I wasn't too sure about paying that much money for a gift, but now that I see how much they love it, I'm definitely getting more for Christmas!!

The night of her birthday she had AWANA and got to be the special helper who picked the ticket for the prize. She picked Savannah! :)So all in all she had a great birthday...and she's thrilled to be 5!

Savannah and Abby got wings the other day at the toy store. One time they put them on Luke and he wasn't too thrilled, but tonight he brought them to Jeremy and asked to have them put on. I got him on video trying to fly.

Luke has amazing, beautiful, golden curls. They're especially wonderful when he's just woken up from a nap. I know the time will come in the not too distant future when we're going to have to give him his first hair cut. I'm not looking forward to it. I don't want him to lose his curls, and I don't want him to look like a big boy. Right now he just looks like the little cherub he is.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

It's really late and I need to be in bed...Tomorrow is a very special day: Abby turns 5!!But before I turn in, I had to make a note of this. Today Abby was being disciplined for being aggressive to Savannah. This is a recurring problem. She's always been a biter, hitter, pincher, scratcher, etc. She has some self-control issues that I've really been praying about and I'd appreciate if you'd pray about also. Sometimes it's very difficult being a mommy...I don't know how to do this! Anyway, I was disciplining her and she started crying and said, "I'm waiting for God to change my heart.". It was so sweet it nearly broke my heart. Boy have I felt that way some times! I explained to her that God is not a fairy god-mother who waves a magic wand and everything is perfect...it takes effort on OUR part for our hearts to change. I don't know if it sunk in...but it was precious to have that opportunity to talk with her. I too am waiting for her heart to change. She is such a precious, dear little one, but she is by far my most challenging child--by a long shot.

So Jeremy and I had a very good time up in Tahoe. The weather was pretty chilly, so we stayed indoors most of the time, which was okay because it was cozy and nice to just relax...and there was TV, which we're not used to. We got all caught up on the political nonsense...yet another reminder why I'm happy to not have television! It's just too depressing watching that stuff! We visited my old community college and saw all of the changes it's undergone--it has grown a LOT since I was there like 12-13 years ago. Man how time flies!! We had some wonderful food out, watched a movie, An American Carol, went to Starbucks a few times. All in all it was nice and relaxing...especially the jacuzzi tub! Ahhhh....

The kids all did well too. Luke was a bit overwrought with being busy with Grandma and Papa. He didn't get his normal nap every day like he's used to, but he was a good sport about it. Savannah lost ANOTHER tooth while we were up there too. Now she doesn't have any more loose ones so we should be good for a while! It was nice to know that Luke was fine without me there. What a relief...and an open door for hopefully more time with my husband in the future! YAY! Not that we'll get away again any time soon, but it's good to know that it's a possibility.

My parents took the kids to Apple Hill and my dad got lots of photos, but I haven't gotten them from him, so I don't have any to post. I do, however, have some photos from the pumpkin patch/dairy farm we visited the other day. We got to sample cheese and butter (Jersey Cow chesse and butter!), go on a hay ride, go through a hay maze and get this: MILK A COW!! How fun! The girls really enjoyed it! We picked out a couple of pumpkins too. It was a fun day. I went with some homeschooling friends of mine and it was really funny because while we were there, one of the local Christian Schools in this area was there too--so I saw a bunch of people I know there (weird because this place isn't particularly close to my house), and later I saw a neighbor of mine there too.

I guess that's enough updating for now. Abby is so excited that her birthday is the day after tomorrow. She can barely contain herself. I told her I'd take her to a big toy store in Petaluma on her birthday and let her pick something out. She's also got a ton of money she's been saving from allowance and what she got for her birthday so far (Thank you Great-Grandma and Grandpa McEfee and Great-Grandma and Grandpa Troyer). Money is sure to please these days! :)

So here are some photos from the dairy farm and also of Abby today, all dressed up and ready to be "5"!!

Friday, October 10, 2008

The weekend is officially here and tomorrow we leave to begin our weekend away! We're actually leaving on our own on Sunday and returning on Tuesday, but tomorrow we go to my parents house and that's always a little mini vacation because it's a change of pace...even if that 2.5 hour drive drives us all a bit crazy!! It's always so fun to arrive! Keep us in your prayers for safe travels...and for the mommy/baby separation thing...that's always tough, but by God's grace we'll all be the better for it!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Grandma Troyer (Jonathan's Mother) sent us a fun recipe with our Anniversary Card this year and I just had to try it with the kids. I had each of the girls make one and then we shared them. They're for Mug Cakes:1 coffee mug4 tbsp. flour4 tbsp. sugar2 tbsp. baking cocoa1 egg3 tbsp. milk3 tbsp. oil3 tbsp. choc. chips (optional)splash vanilla (optional)

Combine dry ingredients in mug, add egg and stir. Add the rest of ingredients and stir well. Stir in choc. chips if desired. Microwave on High for 3 minutes. This was our favorite part: "THE CAKE WILL RISE OVER THE TOP OF THE MUG, BUT DON'T BE ALARMED!". Savannah was very alarmed until I read that to her! It does sink when the microwave turns off. It was a very fun experience and we all enjoyed these cakes! YUM!!

It's a good thing the Tooth Fairy isn't affected by our soft economy, otherwise Savannah would have made her bankrupt! We still have one more tooth that is ready. Savannah was going to pull it out as well, but decided that it had a good day or two left.

Monday, October 6, 2008

I just wanted all of my devoted readers to know, it's very simple for you to be able to comment on any of the posts I write--and it's VERY fun for me to read comments from you. All you have to do is register for an account with google. There is nothing you need to sign up with or anything, just register and get a username/password. Then you can comment on ANYTHING I write! Really, it's very easy and very fun...so please sign up now...and no, google does not give me anything for saying this!! Hahaha!!

7 years ago we took the plunge and got married. I was excited, I know Jeremy was probably scared to death, but hey, it's been a good, wonderful even 7 years. We've been so incredibly blessed with health, happiness, beautiful, wonderful children, a nice home and best of all, we're STILL close to our family (distance wise as well as relationship wise!). Yesterday we were at church and the pastor's sermon was about how God is our EVER present help in trouble. He was naming off difficulties that most people are facing in our economic situation our country is in...and Jeremy and I looked at eachother and realized how truly blessed we are. Really, none of the economic stuff is affecting us too badly. Yes, of course I'd like to pay less for gas, but it doesn't affect Jeremy's commute (Praise God!). God has been so good to us these past 7 years, even if we haven't been completely obedient to Him. I praise Him for his Grace and Mercy to us. And of course, I look forward to what blessings He has in store for us as we continue our lives as man and wife.

We are so excited too because we've gotten a FABULOUS deal on the condo we spent our honeymoon in and are going away to Tahoe for 3 days, 2 nights next weekend!!! We haven't been gone together since our honeymoon...I'm SO looking forward to it. I remember being kinda bored on our honeymoon...in fact, we even went to Apple Hill and visited my grandparents because we didn't know what else to do. I don't think we'll be bored this time...back then I didn't know how valuable time is...this time I will RELISH each moment...and each soak in the HUGE jacuzzi tub!! AHHHHHH....I can't wait!

About Me

I'm a homeschooling mommy to my 7 beautiful children. I'm my husbands wife and proud of it. I stay home, take care of my husband, children and home and am COMPLETELY fulfilled as a woman in this uber-domestic life I live. I try each day to follow God's calling and I fail each day. Praise God for His grace and His love...because of that I look forward EVERY day to a new adventure and new blessing. My family is my greatest ministry and each day I pray I do my best.